Dundee United forward Matty Smith staying at Tannadice until 2020

Matty Smith will be at Tannadice until the summer of 2020 after agreeing a new deal with Dundee United.

The 21-year-old frontman has played 24 times for the Tangerines and scored four goals for the club.

United boss Csaba Laszlo is delighted to be hanging on to Smith, saying: “Matty has shown he can be an essential player for us. He is still young but I now want to see him bring more consistency to his game.

“I am happy he has signed this contract because he can improve as a footballer here while helping Dundee United reach our goals.”

Meanwhile, United chairman Mike Martin has thanked the fans for buying season tickets in greater numbers than at the same time last year.

The Tangerines failed for the second successive season to gain promotion back to the Premiership but Martin has stressed how the uptake in ticket books has given everyone at Tannadice a “boost.”

Just under 2,500 supporters have bought a season ticket for the 2018-19 campaign, a rise of over 20% on the same period last season and including almost 200 sales in the new under-16s category.

Martin said: “It is very positive that so many have purchased season tickets already.

“To see the total sitting ahead of last year like-for-like gives everyone a boost and I am further delighted that the new under-16s category is clearly proving popular. The club appreciates the support.

“We are committed to bringing players to the club who will help us secure promotion next season and this tangible commitment from our fans assists hugely in this task. Thank you to everyone who has already purchased a season ticket.”

Also, United have appointed Iain Ross as their new head of finance.

The chartered accountant, a United fan, has more than 30 years of experience in accounting governance and financial management in various areas including oil and gas, retail and leisure, hospitality, engineering and banking.